Qantas' seven-hour 'flight to nowhere' completely sells out in just 10 minutes

Before the pandemic, flying was mainly seen as a way to quickly reach a destination, often with little thought beyond the journey itself.

However, with global travel restrictions in place, many travelers are now fantasizing not only about distant locations but also the unique experience of flying – from the excitement of take-off to the breathtaking views of Earth from the cabin window.

This is where 'flights to nowhere' come into play – journeys that exist solely for the experience of flying itself, with no specific destination in mind.

As a testament to their growing popularity, Qantas' sightseeing flight to nowhere sold out in a mere 10 minutes, with eager passengers paying premium prices to take to the skies during a time when Australia has grounded nearly all international flights.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce called it 'likely the fastest-selling flight in the airline's history,' in a statement.

Clearly, people miss traveling and the unique experience of flying. If demand continues, we'll certainly consider offering more of these scenic flights as we all await the reopening of borders.

This seven-hour scenic journey will take passengers on a vast loop, offering views of Queensland, the Gold Coast, New South Wales, and the country's remote outback heartlands.

From the sky, passengers will have the opportunity to spot iconic Australian landmarks, such as Sydney Harbour and the Great Barrier Reef. The plane will also make low passes over famous sights like Uluru and Bondi Beach.

In addition to the scenic flight, there will be special in-flight entertainment, including a surprise celebrity host.

The flight will take place aboard a Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner, an aircraft typically reserved for long-haul international flights. However, due to travel restrictions, very few international flights are currently operating, and Qantas' international fleet is grounded.

The Dreamliner is famous for its large windows, making it perfect for sightseeing at 30,000 feet.

A New Trend

In Asia, where most borders remain closed and leisure tourism is limited, a growing number of flights have emerged with no particular destination in mind.

Qantas' flight comes shortly after EVA Air's Taiwan-based 'flight to nowhere,' which offered a special journey on August 8 aboard its Hello Kitty-themed A330 Dream jet.

Similarly, All Nippon Airways (ANA) ran a short scenic flight in Japan in August, designed to recreate the 'Hawaiian resort experience,' with 300 passengers aboard a 1.5-hour flight.

On September 19, a scenic flight is set to depart from Taipei Airport, offering 120 Taiwanese tourists a unique aerial view of South Korea's Jeju Island.

This journey promises to be an experience in itself, according to the Korea Tourism Organization's press release, complete with an in-flight quiz show and local delicacies served on board.

According to the local Straits Times newspaper, Singapore Airlines is reportedly considering launching flights to nowhere starting in October.

A spokesperson for Singapore Airlines shared with Dinogo Travel that the airline is exploring several initiatives to engage both customers and the public, though none of these plans have been finalized yet.

From an environmental standpoint, the idea of a flight to nowhere raises potential concerns.

While there are concerns about the environmental impact due to fuel consumption, recent scientific studies suggest that the likelihood of contracting Covid-19 on an airplane is lower than many assume, thanks to the advanced air filtration systems.

That being said, all airlines offering scenic flights are ensuring they adhere to Covid-19 safety protocols during these journeys.